On July 8, 2024, Russian forces launched a large-scale missile attack against Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure across the country. According to monitoring by Ukrainian military forces, the Russians used a variety of missile types in the assault, including:
- Cruise missiles launched from Tu-95 strategic bombers
- Ballistic missiles
- Kinzhal and Kalibr air-launched cruise missiles
- Possible launches of Kh-22 anti-ship missiles from Tu-22M3 bombers
The strikes resulted in fires breaking out in the capital Kyiv and reports of civilian casualties, though the full extent of the damage and loss of life is still being assessed.
This latest Russian bombardment marks an escalation in the conflict, which has been ongoing since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian air defenses attempted to intercept the incoming missiles but were unable to stop the large-scale attack. The strikes underscore the continued threat to Ukrainian civilians nearly 18 months into the war.
the Kyiv Regional Military Administration reported a missile attack on the Kyiv region. The air defense forces were operating in the region, and residents were urged to observe information silence and not film or post the work of the defenders online. Civilians were instructed to stay in shelters until the air raid alarm ended.
During the Russian strikes on Kyiv, people took refuge in the subway and crosswalks. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that medics had been called to the Solomianskyi district, and the team was en route.
The Kyiv City Military Administration later reported that Russian rocket debris had fallen in the Solomianskyi, Dniprovskyi, and Holosiivskyi districts, resulting in a fire. The authorities were still gathering information on the damage and casualties, but it was known that three people had been injured, with one hospitalized and two treated on-site. Officials were also checking reports of one fatality.
Klitschko mentioned a hit on one of the premises of a children's medical center, which was later confirmed to be the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital. President Zelenskyy reported that more than 40 missiles of various types had damaged residential buildings, infrastructure, and the children's hospital. All services were involved in the rescue efforts, and Zelenskyy called on the world to use its determination to end the Russian strikes.
The Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets condemned the attack as an act of terrorism and said he had appealed to international partners. The Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, accused the Russians of deliberately targeting civilians and infrastructure, including the children's hospital, when the streets were most crowded.
The previous night, Russia had also attacked Ukraine, using 4 Kh-101 cruise missiles and 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defense was able to destroy 3 of the Kh-101 missiles in the Zhytomyr and Cherkasy regions.
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